Frame for art prints

ABSTRACT

A frame consisting of four frame components, each having Usection, the side walls of said U pressing against each other. The frame components are assembled in pairs by a corner unit having a number of projections, said projections being squeezed into corresponding holes in the side walls of said U. In certain cases the projections are secured by a press-stud effect.

United States Patent [191 Mohr [451 Feb. 5, 1974 1 1 FRAME FOR ART PRINTS [76] Inventor: Werner Johan Mohr, Strandladsvej 42, 2300, Kobenhavn 8., Denmark [22] Filed: Jan. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 219,763

619,766 3/1949 Great Britain 40/152 129,681 10/1950 Sweden 40/152 312,003 2/1956 Switzerland 40/152 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bucknam and Archer 5 7 ABSTRACT A frame consisting of four frame components, each having U-section, the side walls of said U pressing against each other. The frame components are assembled in pairs by a corner unit having a number of projections, said projections being squeezed into corresponding holes in the side walls of said U. In certain cases the projections are secured by a press-stud effect.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 642,558 1/1900 Oldenbusch 40/155 687,789 12/1901 Rhynedance 287/2092 D 1,481,120 1/1924 Brombosz 40/155 2,101,349 12/1937 287/189.36 H 3,200,913 8/1965 Nelson 287/189.36 H

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,946 3/1886 Great Britain 40/152 [G A I H all] Patented Feb. 5, 1974 3,789,527

2d 1312 lb lb 10 2c 7 MA T =5 m? v l 1| 7G le Ilfl h i E r \E E; 2 a

FRAME FOR ART PRINTS BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The invention concerns a frame for art prints and similar flat objects and comprises four frame components primarily with a channel-shape cross-section with the free walls of the channel pressing against each other in order to grip about the print, poster, etc.

It has hitherto been established practice to provide posters and art prints with plastic frame components with a channel-shape cross-section, the edges of the poster sliding into the cavity of the channel. The corners formed by the frame components are not sufficiently rigid.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The purpose of the invention is to demonstrate a frame of the aforesaid type, whose corners are very rigid and which is very simple to manufacture.

An embodiment of the frame according to the invention is characterized in that the frame components are assembled in pairs by a corner unit which is provided with a number of projections which are primarily shaped like a truncated cone, the said projections being pressed into corresponding holes in the wall of the channel which forms the back of the frame. This arrangement ensures in a very simple manner that the corner units are secured effectively to the frame components and that corners of the finished frame are very rigid. When it is desired to provide an art print with a frame as embodied by the invention, the procedure is first to slide the frame components over the edges of the print and then to butt the mitred ends of the frame components together. One corner unit is then pressed securely in place on each corner of the frame, the aforesaid projections on the corner units being pressed into the holes in the frame components. The projections are secured by a press-stud effect.

According to the invention each corner unit can be designed in the form of an isosceles right-angled triangle, with two or more projections located adjacent to each perpendicular. This arrangement ensures the provision of at least four press-studs for each corner unit, which is sufficient for most frame sizes.

Finally the shape of the projections according to the invention can be a combination of a cylinder surface and a truncatedcone surface. This arrangement ensures an improved press-stud effect once the comer units are secured in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The invention is explained below with due reference to the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the frame according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of part of one corner of the frame with its corner unit.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through line 22 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a corner unit with projections in the form of blank rivets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a frame comprising four frame components 1a, lb, 10, and 1d, mitred at each end and joined by means of corner units 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. As shown in FIG. 2, each frame component has primarily a channel-shape cross-section, the walls of the channel 1' and 1" being compressed together in order to permit them to grip about and retain the edges of an art print slid between them. The comer unit 2d shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a right-angled triangle, and two projections 3 are located adjacent to each of its perpendiculars. Adjacent to the mitred ends of the frame components holes 4 see FIG. 3 have been punched with a diameter primarily equal to the minimum diameter of projections 3. As the projections are primarily designed in the form of a tuncated cone (with the maximum diameter located at the extreme tip of the projection), it is possible to press the projections of the corner unit into the holes like press-studs, and the projections are thereby retained with a press-stud effect. FIG. 3 shows clearly how the projections are pressed partially through one wall I of the channel section. Instead of being shaped like truncated cones, the projections can be in the form of blank rivets, viz., a form comprising a cylinder 8 and a truncated cone 9 located on top of the cylinder with the narrow end of the cone facing downward. There is however nothing to prevent the projections having a variety of other shapes, provided that their greatest diameter is at the free end furthest from the plate 5 of the corner unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the top frame component is provided with two eyes 10 for hanging the finished picture. Each eye has two horizontal lugs 12 which slide into their respective holes 13 in the frame component. The eyes are thereby held securely in the frame.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated by the artisan that the invention essentially provides a frame for holding a multicornered plate-like object such as a picture, using a plurality of hollow channels 1a, 1b, la, la positioned in endwise adjoining relation to one another to encompass the perimeter of the object. The channels 1a-ld are generally U-shaped in transverse cross section and are oriented in the plane of the object so that the channel openings face toward the object to receive and grip respective border portions of the object.

Bracing members in the form of corner units 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are disposed outside the channels la-ld at respective corners of the object, each bracing member 2a-2d bearing fastening means, such as projecting members 3, 8, which engage a corresponding pair of adjoining channels, as shown by FIG. 2, to secure same in fixed relation to each other. These projecting members 3, 8 expediently have tapered portions, such as 9, which can be pressed through the channel wall apertures 4 and which are engaged thereby to resist withdrawal therefrom.

Many variations of the invention are possible without departing from the inventive idea.

What we claim is:

l. A frame for holding a multicornered plate-like object which comprises a plurality of hollow channels positioned in endwise adjoining relation to one another to encompass the perimeter of the object, said channels each having a pair of walls oppositely disposed to define a generally U-shaped channel cross-section, and having their longitudinal openings oriented inwardly toward the object to receive and grip respective border portions of the object; and a plurality of bracing members disposed outside said channels at respective corners of the object, each bracing member bearing a plurality of tapered projecting fastening members disposed for insertion through respective apertures located on only one wall of each channel in a corresponding pair of adjoining channels to secure same in fixed relation 4 ing members being tapered outwardly toward their free ends for press-fit insertion through said apertures, the free ends of said fastening members being received to each other, said apertures being undersized in rela- 5 within the hollow inlerior of the channeli tion to said tapered fastening members and said fasten- 

1. A frame for holding a multicornered plate-like object which comprises a plurality of hollow channels positioned in endwise adjoining relation to one another to encompass the perimeter of the object, said channels each having a pair of walls oppositely disposed to define a generally U-shaped channel cross-section, and having their longitudinal openings oriented inwardly toward the object to receive and grip respective border portions of the object; and a plurality of bracing members disposed outside said channels at respective corners of the object, each bracing member bearing a plurality of tapered projecting fastening members disposed for insertion through respective apertures located on only one wall of each channel in a corresponding pair of adjoining channels to secure same in fixed relation to each other, said apertures being undersized in relation to said tapered fastening members and said fastening members being tapered outwardly tOward their free ends for press-fit insertion through said apertures, the free ends of said fastening members being received within the hollow interior of the channels. 